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Governing Body

Home Governing Body
Name
Biography
Mrs J Blonden (Co-opted)
I have been a school governor for the past 31 years. I was at Dunstone Primary for seven years, the last three as Chairman. And I have been at Plymstock for 28 years. During that time I have chaired the Finance, Personnel and Premises committees for various lengths of time. These days, because of my availability during the day, I get involved in the interesting work of staff and support recruitment and interviews.
Mr D Chapman (Parent Governor)
After leaving school and studying Electrical Engineering at Loughborough, I worked for the same Electrical contracting company for 22 years in a host of roles. In 2004, I left employment to set up my own Electrical Contracting and Building Company, and re-located to my wife’s home City of Plymouth in 2009 to bring up our young family in beautiful Devon. As my eldest child has now started on his next chapter at Plymstock School, and my younger two will be hot on his heels, I am keen to pass on my wealth of knowledge to any students considering a more vocational career in construction or engineering and am the link governor to the IT and DT departments.
Mrs T Chown
I had the pleasure of becoming a Parent Governor in 2019. In 2002 myself and my husband set up our own business of which I am Company Secretary and Director. I deal with the financial and HR side of the business. My daughter started at Plymstock School in 2018 and my son attends Pomphlett School where I have been helping out as a parent helper for the past 2 years. I felt keen to give something back to the community as having worked in my sons' class for 2 years, felt I'd like to get more involved with my daughters' education.
Mrs F Denton-Jafarian (Parent Governor)
I am the Managing Director of two clinics that specialise in therapy and treatment for children and youngsters with additional needs. I have worked in mental health, SEND and social care for 20 years, here in the UK and overseas. I was raised in Plymstock and I’m a mother of four. My two eldest children went to Plymstock School and are now in university and I have a son currently at Plymstock School. I really look forward to contributing and giving back to a school that has supported my children so wonderfully and kept standards to a level that makes me proud as a parent.
Mr A Edwards (Co-opted)
Joining after A levels, I served in the Royal Navy afloat and ashore as a Marine Engineer Officer Submariner for 37 years gaining an Engineering Degree and Post Graduate Diploma in the early stages of my career. Whilst serving, I worked alongside, lead, managed and trained both uniformed and civilian staff with diverse backgrounds and skills in demanding situations. I am married to a primary school teacher. Attendance at Plymstock School has been a key, positive influence on the education and development of my three children preparing them well for entrance to and study at Russell Group Universities and their subsequent careers. A Plymstock resident for 18 years and keen to return something to the community, I have been a Governor at the School for 4 years since retiring from the Royal Navy and take a particular interest in STEM subjects, school policies and safety issues.
Mrs L Greenleaf
I am Head of Marketing & Student Recruitment at City College Plymouth and have a vast experience of both marketing and education. Having worked at the College for the past 23 years I am extremely passionate about education and the role it plays in preparing young people for the world of work. As a former pupil of Plymstock School and mum to twin boys who are currently in Year 7, it's an absolute pleasure to be able to contribute to the ambitious goals of the School and play a significant part in its future success.
Miss R Hogben (Non Teaching Staff Governor)
It is a privilege to have been voted into the position of Support Staff Governor at Plymstock School. I have worked at Plymstock for over 16 years and have loved every minute of it. Previous to this, I was a librarian at Parkside Community College in Devonport, a job I also loved and one that sparked my passion for working with young people. As well as wanting to do the best I can to support the students within my role as library manager, I am pleased to now be in a position to further support them as a governor on the school’s continuing journey within the Multi Academy Trust. Every day I work very closely with teachers and support staff and feel that I am in a unique position to ensure that all non-teaching staff are given a voice and feel supported within this new school community. I am excited and look forward to the next four years in this new role.
Mr C Macrae (Chair of Governors /Parent Governor)
52 years old and work for Santander as Deputy Regional Director, my job is to lead a team who look after and support businesses to grow and prosper, throughout the south west region. I have carried out various leadership roles in different banks for the last 15 years and enjoy working and helping people to be the best they can be. I was educated in Plymouth and have lived in Plymstock for the last 15 years. Both my wife and sister and now my son have attended Plymstock School, my son is a current Year 7. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking and running.
Mr N Kelly (Co-opted)
I am delighted to have been appointed as an Academy Governor in December 2016. As a former pupil who represented the school in many sports and other activities I am honoured to be able to further contribute to the onward progress of Plymstock School. I am a qualified Independent Financial Adviser and also an elected Plymouth City Councillor. I am keen to utilise my commercial experience, professional skills and knowledge to assist the school to achieve it's future objectives. My daughter is studying at the University of Leeds and my son is completing his "A" levels and applying to universities currently. In view of this I am well positioned to offer guidance to prepare students to continue with their academic studies or to commence work in their chosen career. I look forward to shaping the future of Plymstock School for the benefit of all.
Mr R Pearsall (Headteacher)
I am absolutely delighted and honoured to be taking on the role of Headteacher for this academic year, having spent over 9 years successfully working as both an Assistant Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher within the school. I am determined to secure an outstanding future for our school community. As Headteacher I bring 24 years of experience working in three secondary schools and I strongly believe that success is the inevitable outcome of everyone’s best efforts to improve the school. I have the highest aspirations and expectations for all our children irrespective of their starting point, background and barriers to learning. This experience has shown me that collaboration is essential, working together with the highest expectations; staff, students and parents can further raise standards in every area of the school so that every student achieves their full potential. I am a passionate advocate of establishing a profession that uses evidence-based approaches, to support teachers to develop metacognitive knowledge and skills in our pupils. Using evidence that is proven to work will facilitate high levels of challenge, engagement, independence and resilience needed by learners for the new GCSEs. My priority is to ensure in every classroom our students experience consistent and highly effective teaching and learning. My aim is simply, that Plymstock continues to be the very best school at the heart of our community and a world-class learning community that allows all young people to succeed both now and in the future.
Mr T Port (Parent Governor)
"As a parent governor I am keen to be involved with Plymstock School and make it the best it can be for the benefit of all students, in order for them to develop and fulfil their potential whilst giving them great opportunities and making their school journey enjoyable and memorable. I have two children, my eldest son is currently at Plymstock (going into year 10) while my youngest son is at Hooe Primary Academy. I have been involved in school governance since 2010 at Hooe Primary Academy where I am currently the Chair of Governors, having previously undertaken roles within Management & Personnel and Finance committees as well as link governor for Health & Safety, ICT delivery and site and premises development. As the Chair I was lead governor in moving Hooe Primary firstly into academy status and then on into the Horizon multi academy trust. I am also currently the lead governor for safeguarding and child protection. I have been a police officer with Devon & Cornwall for 18 years, undertaking a number of roles across the force and am currently the Neighbourhood Team Leader for Plymouth Central Sector working out of Charles Cross. Outside of work I have a great passion for all sport - I am a qualified UK Athletics coach and also a season ticket holder at Plymouth Argyle!!"
Mrs J Rickard (Co-opted)
I became a Parent Governor at Plymstock School when my children were pupils here. I am now an Academy Governor. Over the years I have been linked to various departments and have enjoyed watching the teachers educate and inspire the students at all levels. At present I sit on the Curriculum and Personnel committees and feel privileged to be a part of the Governing Body.
Mr G Thomas (Co-opted)
For 20+ years I have worked within adult and children’s mental health services both in the NHS and the military. As a mental health nurse and cognitive behavioural therapist, I hope to bring a unique skill set, helpful insights and experiences which will be of benefit to governors, students, and staff. Through my work and personal experiences, I believe that every child/young person is good at something, we just need to find out what it is, as it might not be obvious, but when we know, we can support and encourage them to strive and thrive.
Mr M Wallace (Staff Governor)
I am the teaching staff governor, and I sit on the Personnel and the Finance & Premises committees. My governance role is putting forward the teachers' perspectives and helping to ensure initiatives and policies are realistic and workable. In governors' meetings, I am able to talk first-hand about the impact of new initiatives, and the benefits they have brought to the students. I have held a variety of responsibilities in my 20 years of teaching maths, including head of department. I have been teaching at Plymstock School for 10 years, and I am proud to be helping the school in its ambition to be a world-class learning community.
Mrs A-M Williams (Parent Governor)
I am a parent governor at Plymstock School. I have been teaching Physical Education and Religious Studies for 14 years in both the primary and secondary sector. I now specialise in teaching children with autism and emotional, behavioural difficulties. I am the link governor for the Physical Education department here at Plymstock School and currently sit on the curriculum and personnel committees. I feel extremely honoured to be a part of Plymstock School Governing Body and look forward to celebrating our future successes and achievements.

To view the 2020-2021 Governors’ Pecuniary Interests Declarations please click HERE

 

The Role of a School Governor

School governing bodies

All state primary, secondary and special schools are accountable to their governing bodies, which in turn are accountable to parents and the community. As an Academy, Plymstock School has to have at least two elected parent governors, and two elected staff governors in addition to the Head Teacher. The remainder of the governors are a mix of co-opted, staff, academy and parent governors appointed to the Governing Body because they have certain skills, or have community links to the school.

The value of school governance

Governing bodies make decisions which are in the best interests of the children and young people. Keeping the decision-making as close as possible to those affected by the decisions makes for sound and efficient leadership and governance. Governors are unpaid volunteers who undertake the role because they wish to support the school and local community. Fulfilling the role of a school governor is, therefore, both a serious undertaking and enormously rewarding. Not only do governors bring their own knowledge and skills to the role, but, in learning how schools are run, they often develop their understanding of leadership. The majority of employers appreciate this and are supportive of their staff taking on the responsibility. In addition, contributing to the growth and development of a school and seeing tangible improvements in the attainment and wellbeing of the children is a satisfying and important contribution to the local community.

The role of the governing body

The governing body is responsible for the conduct of its school, and must promote high standards of educational achievement at the school. It is the school’s accountable body and as such:

Provides a strategic view of the school by establishing a vision and setting the purpose and aims of the school within an agreed policy framework. It appoints and performance manages the Head Teacher, agreeing the school improvement strategy which includes setting statutory targets with supporting budgets and staffing structures;
monitors and evaluates the work of the school by reviewing the performance of the Head Teacher, the effectiveness of the policy framework, progress towards targets, and the effectiveness of the school improvement strategy;

Signs off the self-evaluation process and responds to school improvement service and Ofsted reports as necessary. In addition it holds the Head Teacher to account for the performance of the school and ensures that parents are involved, consulted and informed as appropriate, with information to the community being made available as required.
In order to do this, governors need to gain knowledge of how their school operates through training, by attending meetings, and by getting to know their school community, for example through a small number of visits to the school during the school day.
Governors need to work together as a team, under the leadership of the Chair of the governing body. Plymstock Governing Body requires its governors to sign a code of practice.

Meetings

Plymstock School governing body meets formally a minimum of six times a year. Meeting dates are usually set well in advance and meetings generally last around two hours.

Governors are expected to be well prepared for these meetings and attendance is expected, with apologies only for good reasons. In addition, representatives from the governing body attend Trust Board committee meetings for Audit, Education Standards, Estates, HR and Finance each term. These Committees report back to the Full Governing Body every term.

Other commitments

Governors at Plymstock School often meet outside of the formal schedule. Governors will form sub-committees for specific reasons such as the Head teacher’s Performance Management, pay reviews or disciplinary procedures. Governors are asked frequently to sit on panels, for example to decide on issues of employment or pupil discipline, and a governor is usually on any interview panel for prospective employees. Governors will also attend a full training day every year. Each governor will have a link to a specific subject area, for example there is a Child Protection Governor; other governors are linked to curriculum areas like Maths or English. Governors are encouraged to visit the school as often as possible. Governors serve four year terms of office but many governors choose to sign on for term after term, our longest serving member has now been with us for over 25 years, she started as a parent governor and wanted to keep working for the benefit of the school long after her children left.

Skills and training

Governors do not need specific skills, but many of the tasks they are required to undertake can benefit from general business knowledge such as understanding management systems, budget planning and HR functions.

As an Academy we are required to ensure that training for governors is available and we buy into a number of training packages from a variety of providers to ensure that governors are properly inducted to their role and trained for specific tasks such as appointing the Head Teacher and then carrying out the Head Teacher’s performance review.

Support for governors

Each governing body must have a clerk who both advises and services the governing body. We are also supported by Babcock LDP, training provider for the Westcountry Schools Trust who provide advice, support and training. Organisations such as the National Association of Governors will also provide advice and support.

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